Marcos Jr.'s appointees

The Presidential Communications Office announces that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Benito Techico and Maynard Ngu as special envoy of the president for a trade, investments and tourism in People's Republic of China.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner as the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Brawner will succeed General Andres Centino, who will be appointed Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea, according to a statement by the Presidential Communications Office. —Alexis Romero

President Marcos appoints controversial lawyer Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon as presidential adviser for poverty alleviation.

Presidential Communications Sec. Cheloy Garafil says Gadon's appointment "reflects the government's commitment to address one of the most pressing challenges faced by our nation." —Alexis Romero

Former Defense Officer-in-Charge Carlito Galvez Jr. is set to return as presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity, an announcement on the latest appointees in the Marcos Jr. administration from the Presidential Communications Office shows.

Galvez held the same post under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong”  Marcos Jr. appoints Eli Remolona as new Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor.

Remolona will succeed current BSP Governor Felipe Medalla, whose term will end on July 2.

A statement from the Presidential Communications Office says Marcos made the decision “after extensive consultations with the Department of Finance, various government offices, private banks and financial institutions.”

“Prior to his appointment as Governor of the BSP, Remolona served as a Member of the Monetary Board of the BSP since August 2022,” the PCO adds.

“As the newly appointed governor, Mr. Remolona is expected to leverage his extensive knowledge and experience to guide the BSP in promoting financial stability, implementing effective monetary policies, and fostering a robust banking sector,” it also says.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed lawyer Gilberto Teodoro as defense secretary and Dr. Teodoro Herbosa as secretary of the Department of Health, the Presidential Communications Office says. 

Transportation Assistant Secretary Hector Villacorta has been designated officer-in-charge of the Land Transportation Office to replace Jay Art Tugade, who resigned on May 22 over differences in policies with the central Department of Transportation office.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. names businesswoman Katrina Ponce Enrile, daughter of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, as administrator and chief executive officer of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

The post is of Cabinet rank. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

Veteran journalist Joe Torres has been named director general of the Philippine Information Agency, the government's official public information arm.

This follows the departure of Ramon Cualoping III from the agency.

Land Transportation Office chief Jose Art Tugade has stepped down from his post, a statement shared by the Presidential Communications Office reads.

Tugade says he quit his post as his and the “methods” of the Department of Transportation and LTO to serve the public “differ.”

“For this reason, I am stepping down, so Sec. Jimmy Bautista will have the free hand to choose who he can work best with,” Tugade adds.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs into law Republic Act 11939 that amends the code providing fixed terms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Presidential Communications Office announces appointment of new officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

They named new ambassador and representatives of the Philippines to India, Nepal, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Portugal, and to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed former Rep. Mohammaed Hussein Pangandaman (Lanao del Sur) as administrator of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, under Government-Owned or –Controlled Corporations, the Presidential Communications Office say.

It adds that Pangandaman’s date of appointement is dated April 28, 2023.

Others who were recently appointed by Marcos are as follows:

Police Maj. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., chief of the Directorate for Intelligence, will be leading the Philippine National Police as Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. retires from the service.

Acorda was named incoming national police chief on the program for the change-of-command ceremony at the national police hedquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

According to a copy of his appointment papers tweeted by Inquirer.net, Acorda's appointment is effective Monday, April 24.

The Palace says President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Abdulraof A. Macacua and Bai Mariam S. Mangudadatu as officers-in-charge of the newly created provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, respectively.

Bai Fatima Ainee Limbona Sinsuat meanwhile has been picked as OIC of the Office of the Vice-Governor of Maguindanao del Norte, while Datu Nathaniel Sangacala Midtimbang will serve as OIC of the Office of the Vice Governor of Manguindanao del Sur. 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Major General Charlton Sean Gaerlan as the deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Presidential Communications Office announces.

Gaerlan’s appointment is dated March 21, the Palace adds.

Gaerlan served as commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps and chief of the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989, it also says.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Monina Arevalo-Zenarosa as new commissioner of the Commissioner of Human Rights.

“With her extensive experience in the field of law and protecting human rights, CHR Commissioner Zenarosa will be a responsible one in ensuring the rights of all Filipinos, particularly of those of the marginalized,” Presidential Communications Office says in Filipino.

The PCO also posted a photo of Zenarosa taking her oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Former Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya has been appointed as new assistant director general of the National Security Council.

State-run PTV4 reports that National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said they received Malaya’s appointment from the Malacañang on Tuesday.

Año was DILG chief during Malaya’s stint at the same agency.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named Manuel Antonio Teehankee as Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the World Trade Organization. —  The STAR/Alexis Romero

After the issuance of an executive order reorganizing the Presidential Communications Office, the agency only has two undersecretaries for now, down from eight previously, its website showed. They are:

• Undersecretary for Digital Media Services Emerald R. Ridao
• Undersecretary for Operations, Administration and Finance Cherbett Karen L. Maralit

There are no assistant secretaries yet in the directory.  PCO has yet to name the officials who will occupy most of the senior posts. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. names Carlos David as undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

David is a professor at the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences. He is also the son of sociologist Randy David. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has named Bievenido Rubio as the new Bureau of Customs commissioner, the Presidential Communications Office says.

The BOC website shows that Rubio is its Port Operations Service director, under its Assessment & Operations Coordinating Group.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he does not think that some people moved to oust former national security adviser Clarita Carlos.

"She didn’t enjoy her time in government... It’s not really surprising because that’s not her natural habitat," he adds. — The STAR/Alexis Romero 

Malacañang says President Marcos has appointed former DILG Secretary Eduardo Año as National Security Adviser.

He will replace Clarita Carlos who will join the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department of the House of Representatives. — The STAR/Alexis Romero

Lawyer Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil is the new Presidential Communications Office secretary. She previously served as the agency’s officer-in-charge.

Garafil took her oath before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — Xave Gregorio

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has accepted the resignation of Department of Defense Officer-in-Charge Jose Faustino, who was holding the post as undersecretary, the Presidential Communications Office says.

The DND chief post was then offered to Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr, who accepted it, PCO OIC Secretary Cheloy Veliracia-Garafil adds.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has named retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Dante Osorio Tinga as acting chairman and member of the Board of Directors and Development Bank of the Philippines, the Palace says.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has named Emmanuel Rufina Ledesma Jr. as acting president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Press Secretary says.

It adds that Ledesma took his oath on Thursday.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has designated tax lawyer Romeo Lumagui Jr. as commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Office of the Press Secretary says.

Palace confirms that lawyer Jose Arturo "Jay Art" Tugade has been appointed as the general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority.

Jay Art is the youngest son of former transport secretary  Arthur Tugade who served under the Duterte administration.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has designated National Telecommunications Commission commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba as the new chairman of the Comission on Audit.

Paul Soriano, a film director and husband to vlogger and celebrity Toni Gonzaga, has been appointed presidential adviser for creative communications, a new position at the Palace. Soriano, who was also tapped as director for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address, will take his oath of office later Monday, October 17.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rejects calls for Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to resign from his position following the arrest of his son in a drug operation earlier this week, saying the demands have “no basis.”

“I think the calls for him to resign has no basis. You call for somebody to resign if he’s not doing his job or that they have misbehaved in that job,” Marcos tells reporters at the sidelines of an event with the Department of Science and Technology in Pasay City.

This was after the son of Justice Secretary Remulla Juanito Jose Remulla III was arrested by authorities for drug possession earlier this week. — Xave Gregorio

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairperson Cheloy Garfil steps down from post and will transfer to Office of the Press Secretary as undersecretary.

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez says his resignation from the Marcos administration is a “very personal decision that was happily made,” adds that he wants to spend his time with family.

He maintains that his continued silence on matters related to his previous post as executive secretary is due to the fact that his communications with the president are absolutely privileged.

Rodriguez quit his post as executive secretary in mid-September and says he would stay on as presidential chief of staff, but his predecessor Lucas Bersamin said Tuesday that the former is no longer part of the Marcos administration.

Opposition lawmaker Edcel Lagman says the president “must be discerning and cautious” in the exercise of power to appoint cabinet members.

This was after Malacañang was hit by three resignations before the Marcos administration even marked its 100th day in office.

“When Cabinet secretaries so early in their tenure vacate their posts, either voluntarily or forcibly, then the vetting process on their appointments is grossly wanting,” Lagman says.

He adds: “The qualification, character, and integrity of presidential appointees reflect on the wisdom or caprice of the appointing authority.”

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin says Jose Calida has stepped down as chairman of the Commission on Audit.

Calida reportedly quit his post due to health reasons.

Trixie Cruz-Angeles tells Philstar.com that she has stepped down as press secretary due to health reasons. — Xave Gregorio

The Commission of Human Rights announces Tuesday the appointment of lawyer Beda Angeles Epres as a new commissioner of the body.

Epres is set to serve a seven-year term—from 2022 until 2029.

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez says he asked permission to step down as executive secretary.

"There is nothing more rewarding than answering the call to serve the country, a rare privilege not extended to all but was given to me," says Rodriguez in a statement.

Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has been named ambassador to the United Kingdom, the Palace, which also released his appointment paper, announces.

Locsin was foreign affairs secretary from 2018 to the end of the Duterte administration. Prior to being appointed to head the Department of Foreign Affairs, Locsin represented the Philippines at the United Nations.

Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez confirms that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed David John Thaddeus Alba as the Sugar Regulatory Administration acting administrator. — The STAR/Helen Flores

The Bangsamoro Goverment says in a Facebook post that President Ferdinand Marcos has administered the oath-taking ceremony of the following newly-appointed Members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament for 2022-2025 at the Malacañan Palace.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirms Arnell Ignacio has been appointed as Overseas Workers Welfare Administration administrator, Director V.

Press Secretary Trixie Angeles says President Ferdinand Marcos appointed Atty. Monalisa Dimalanta as chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

News5 reports that Dimalanta is "an alumna of the University of the Philippines and was former chief legal counsel and compliance Officer of Aboitiz Power Corporation." 

BusinessWorld reports that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed health advocate Samuel Zacate to lead the regulatory body Food and Drug Administration.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announces new appointments made by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation:

• AFP Chief of Staff: Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, currently commander of the AFP-Southern Luzon Command
• PNP chief: Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., currently commander of the Northern Luzon Police Area
• NBI Director: Medardo de Lemos, currently assistant director of the bureau

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles denies reports that Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez has resigned from his post.

A more detailed statement may be released later, she adds.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angles says President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. "swore into office yesterday 20 June 2022, Yogi Filemon Ruiz as Acting Commissioner, Bureau of Customs."

The Office of the Executive Secretary through Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirms that Danilo Cruz has been appointed as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director-deneral.

Meanwhile, Olivia Garcia "Bong" Coo has been chosen as Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, Angeles adds.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has designated Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire as officer-in-charge of the Department of Health, the Palace says.

Vergeire, listed on the DOH website as being on the Public Health Services Team and the Office of the Chief Staff, has also been serving as department spokesperson.

 Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles on Tuesday says President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. picked Ma. Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga as secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
 
“The President has nominated Ms. Ma. Antonia 'Toni' Yulo-Loyzaga as Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources. Her nomination will still be subject to the fulfilment of the required documents,” Cruz-Angeles adds.
 
Yulo-Loyzaga was chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the Manila Observatory where she advocated for more scientific research on climate and disaster resilience, and sat as the Manila Observatory’s executive director and technical adviser of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation.
 

Outgoing Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III hands over the Department of Finance to outgoing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Benjamin Diokno.

In a Twitter post, Dominguez says Diokno "is the best possible choice to succeed me as he possesses the skills, the insight, and the dedication to take on the demanding job of a Finance Secretary."

I officially handed over to incoming Finance Secretary @GovBenDiokno a DOF that has substantially contributed to the task of building the nation by initiating and tirelessly working for reforms that will prepare the PH for the new economy and sustain its post-pandemic recovery. pic.twitter.com/nmMcNraQpg

— Carlos Dominguez III (@SecSonnySays) June 30, 2022

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. chose outgoing Solicitor General Jose Calida as the new chairperson of the Commission on Audit.

Philippine National Bank President Jose Arnulfo has been chosen as GSIS chief.

Incoming Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra — currently justice secretary — says he met with the transition team of the OSG to have "an overview of the organization and operations of the office. they also gave me an idea about the handling of special cases of national importance." 

"Lastly, we discussed matters that need immediate attention, such as the structural problems of the OSG building, the need to create additional legal divisions, and amendments to the OSG law to include retirement and survivorship benefits for state solicitors like those enjoyed by their judicial counterparts," he adds.

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he will take on the portfolio of agriculture secretary himself, at least for now, because of the urgency of the country's food issues.

Press Secretary-designate Trixie Cruz-Angeles says President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has named three more incoming Cabinet secretaries:

• Ex-Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as Presidential Legal Counsel-designate
• Outgoing Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has as Solicitor-General-designate
• Ret. General Jose Faustino Jr., (Ret.) who will assume Secretary of Department of National Defense (DND) on Nov. 13, 2022 after the one-year ban on the appointment of retired military officers under RA 6975

The Human Rights Watch urges President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to "ensure a transparent, inclusive process to select qualified and independent human rights experts as commissioners for the national Commission on Human Rights (CHR)."

“President-elect Marcos should appoint commissioners with proven track records of defending human rights,” says deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch Phil Robertson.

“Given the grave human rights situation in the Philippines, these new commissioners should be independent and strongly committed to fearlessly and impartially upholding the commission’s mandate and duties.”

Incoming Justice Secretary Crispin "Boying" Remulla says he had a very informative meeting with the team of outgoing SOJ Menardo Guevarra on Thursday morning. 

LOOK: Outgoing Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra met with incoming SOJ Boying Remulla at the department’s office today. Remulla, after the meeting, said they might ask for a second meeting because problems at the DOJ are complicated. @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/SZo4gh5raa

— Kristine Patag (@kristinepatag) June 9, 2022

In accepting her nomination to head the Department of Tourism, Cristina Garcia-Frasco recalls she has seen how tourism, a major driver of Cebu’s economy, was affected by the pandemic and how effective tourism governance can revive the industry.

She adds she is eager to support Marcos’ vision to “revitalize tourism so it may significantly propel the Philippines’ post-pandemic economic growth.”

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s press secretary-designate Trixie Cruz-Angeles announces new Cabinet members:

• Presidential Management Staff: Naida Angping
   
• Department of Tourism: Mayor Christina Frasco
   
• Department of Budget and Management: Amena Pangandaman
   
• Department of Information and Communications Technology: Ivan John Enrile Uy
   
• Department of Social Welfare and Development: Erwin Tulfo

— Kristine Joy Patag

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he picked former Rep. Anton Lagdameo (Davao de Oro) — a known close friend of his — to serve as Special Assistant to the President.

For the post of solicitor general, Marcos says he has yet to finalize his pick. — Kristine Joy Patag 

President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announces more nominations to complete his Cabinet:

• DPWH: Manny Bonoan
• BSP: Felipe Medalla
• DTI: Fred Pascual

Presumptive president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. names BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno for the position of finance secretary.

He has already agreed, Marcos adds. — Kristine Joy Patag

Lawyer Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles has accepted the nomination as press secretary of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., presumptive president.

Cruz-Angeles will become head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

“I am grateful for the opportunity I am given to take part in the administration of President Bongbong Marcos as his Press Secretary. It is with humility that I accept the nomination and assume the responsibility of running the affairs of the PCOO,” Cruz-Angeles says.

Bongbong Marcos, presumptive president-elect, says he tapped an “old friend,” former Secretary Arsenio Balisacan to return to NEDA, saying they have the same thinking in policies.

It’s still unclear whether Balisacan has accepted the offer. — Kristine Joy Patag

House Deputy Speaker and Rep. Boying Remulla (Cavite) says he has accepted the offer to be justice secretary in the Cabinet of incoming administration of presumptive president Bongbong Marcos. — The STAR/Edu Punay

OFW advocate and former DOLE Usec. Susan Ople confirms that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., presumptive president-elect, offered the post of secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) during a meeting held last Friday.

Ople says Marcos "spoke about the need to get the new department up and running, and for it to care for our OFWs and also develop programs for their families especially the children of migrant workers."

She says that she is now discerning and consulting about the offer as she acknowledged "the enormity of the task and the challenges involved” in the newly-created department. — Kristine Joy Patag

 Benhur Abalos, Bongbong Marcos’ campaign manager, has accepted to lead the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
 
 Vic Rodriquez, spokesperson of Marcos denies the veracity of list spreading on social media of possible Cabinet appointees. 
 
 He says so far only Sara Duterte, presumptive vice president-elect, for Department of Education and Benhur Abalos for DILG are confirmed. — Kristine Joy Patag

Follow this thread for appointments made by presumptive president-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

— Main photo: AFP/Ron Lopez